OSU program to cover tuition costs for some low- to moderate-income students next year

Ohio State University plans to begin covering tuition costs for some low- and moderate-income students starting next year.

The Columbus Dispatch reports the university announced last week that in-state students who qualify for Pell grants will be offered financial aid packages to pay tuition and mandatory fees not already covered by other sources.

The program will start during the 2018-19 academic year and initially will be limited to students on the Columbus campus.

The school estimates 3,500 students will receive assistance at a cost of around $11 million.

Funding will come from an agreement the school signed with a private partnership to manage campus energy needs that included money for academics.

OSU President Michael Drake says the school has been working to make high-quality education affordable to more families.